Key Takeaways:
- Donovan Mitchell scored 25 points last night as the Cavaliers secured a commanding 129-99 win against the Los Angeles Lakers
- LeBron James, returning to Cleveland, was held to 11 points – his lowest in 13 appearances as a visitor
- Cleveland outscored the Lakers by 20 points in the third quarter, marking their season-best fifth consecutive victory
Match Analysis
The Cleveland Cavaliers produced an emphatic display last night to overpower the Los Angeles Lakers, posting a 129-99 victory and ending LeBron James’ latest homecoming in defeat. Donovan Mitchell led the charge with 25 points while Jaylon Tyson registered 20 points, propelling Cleveland to their fifth consecutive win – their longest streak of the season.
Key contributions also came from De’Andre Hunter, who put up 19 points, and Jarrett Allen, who added 17 points and nine rebounds. The Cavaliers surged after halftime, transforming a close 57-55 edge with an explosive third quarter in which they outscored the Lakers 42-22.
A BIG WIN IN THE 216. #LetEmKnow
📊 HIGHLIGHTS & STATS: https://t.co/saZ1gDCUvQ pic.twitter.com/DUK4YJsnFR
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) January 29, 2026
LeBron’s Modest Homecoming
LeBron James, playing in Cleveland as an opponent for the 13th time, finished with only 11 points. This marks the first instance in his career as a visiting player that he has failed to reach 20 points in this fixture. The 41-year-old Akron-born star shot 3 of 10 from the field, missed all three attempts from beyond the arc, and converted 5 of 6 free throws during his 27 minutes on the court.
James, who owns a 10-3 record in Cleveland as a visiting player, has now lost his last two appearances in the city. The defeat also represents his heaviest loss as an opponent in Cleveland. Emotions ran high during a first-quarter timeout when James was visibly moved by a tribute video, recalling his iconic 25-point streak against Detroit in the 2007 Eastern Conference finals.
Key Moments and Turning Points
The contest was finely balanced at halftime, with Cleveland just ahead 57-55. However, the Cavaliers rapidly took control after the break. Tied at 57, they embarked on a decisive 25-8 run, with Mitchell accounting for eight points and Tyson adding another seven in that stretch.
The Cavaliers shot a modest 6 of 22 from three-point range in the first half but caught fire in the third period, sinking 7 of 11 attempts from behind the arc and going 17 of 25 overall from the field in the quarter. Notably, this was the twelfth occasion this season the Cavaliers have posted at least 40 points in a single quarter.
Player Performance and Injury Update
Luka Doncic topped the scoring for Los Angeles with 29 points, but it was not enough to prevent the Lakers from falling to 3-2 on their current seven-game road trip. Doncic had a worrying moment in the first quarter as he was forced to leave play for six minutes due to a left ankle concern, after landing awkwardly following a three-point attempt near the Lakers’ bench.
| Team | Score | Top Scorer |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 129 | Donovan Mitchell (25 points) |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 99 | Luka Doncic (29 points) |
Looking Ahead
The Lakers will continue their road trip against the Washington Wizards on Friday night, while the Cavaliers will visit the Phoenix Suns on Friday night.
